Our September time machine

At the beginning of each month, we will revisit some past issues. What did you miss? How have the ideas within the articles stood the test of time?

Let's set the controls for September…

'Let there be chaos!', we cried in September 2023. We also marked 20 years of our Research Digest, and went back to some of the authors of papers featured in that first email.

2022 saw reports and interviews from the Qualitative Methods in Psychology and Division of Health Psychology conferences; a series of conversations around mental health; and Gary Donohoe's cover feature on adverse childhood experiences and the brain.

In September 2021, we had a conversation on class. We also featured Luis Gómez-Ordóñez and colleagues on decolonising psychological science. Lee Jones, Keith Valentine and Judith Potts discussed Charles Bonnet Syndrome.

In 2020, we attempted to (re)ignite the conversation around racism, including Nasreen Fazal-Short on the need to 'mainstream the agenda' around inclusion. We also reported on the BPS conference which should have been in Leeds but was online due to Covid.

In September 2019 we had a special issue on shifting attitudes and behaviour in the next generation, featuring:
- Reducing prejudice towards immigrants – Siân Jones
- Political engagement – Martyn Barrett and Dimitra Pachi
- Gender identity – Sarah Davidson
- Mental health – Pooky Knightsmith
- Resilience to radicalisation – Lynn Davies
- Gender equality – Dan O'Hare
- Healthy eating – Helen Coulthard

In our 2018 issue, we had Cameron Brick and Sander van der Linden on the ultimate psychological dilemma: climate change. Dinsa Sachan looked at the effects of a relationship break-up, Steve Taylor explored the 'awakening experience', and Lucas Richert and Matthew Decloedt looked at yoga and psychedelics in the 1960s. 

Our September 2017 issue featured Dinsa Sachan on how living abroad shapes us. Talia Berkowitz and colleagues considered how parents can promote their children's academic achievement. Clai Rice and Brandon Barker explored folk illusions, and Helen Cassaday posed an ethical dilemma around animal experimentation.

In 2016, Ian Tucker and colleagues looked at the implications of the 'surveillance society', and John McAlaney and colleagues considered motivations for hacking. Joanna Bourke explored physical and emotional wounding after the First World War. We also featured Dan Jones on conflict resolution.

In September 2015 we had Claire Hughes on the transition to school and Laura Oxley on reward and punishment in schools. Marc Smith reconceptualised academic resilience in schools. Mike Jay investigated methods used in the Belgian town Geel to treat the mentally ill. Ciarán Mc Mahon asked why we 'like' social media.

Our 2014 issue was a special on the use of hallucinogens in research and therapy, introduced by David Nutt and featuring:
- How hallucinogens work on the brain
- Cultural approaches to hallucinations
- When the trip doesn't end
- Psilocybin to alleviate cancer anxiety
- Writers on hallucinogens
- A brief history of psychedelic psychiatry

Our September 2013 issue looked at the impact of austerity on psychology. We also featured Oliver Sacks, parallels between anorexia and autism, swearing, and research with ethnic minorities. 

In 2012 we looked at psychology on the road, with neuroscience-inspired car design, vulnerable road users, sustainable transport, fitness to drive, and young driver challenges. 

Our 2011 special reconnected with Milgram's vision for social psychology, with a personal view from his widow Alexandra Milgram, an update on the legacy of his obedience studies, an examination of the relevance of Milgram's work for historians, and a look at his work as a filmmaker.

In September 2010 we considered the multisensory perception of flavour, we looked back at the early evolution of Milgram's experiment, and we studied the last statements from those on death row. 

Our 2009 issue featured performance prediction, intensive interaction, and the 'cognitive revolution'. In 2008, we looked at affect and cognition in teaching, organisational change and self-medication that can make you feel worse. We asked if psychology can change the world. 

In September 2007, we considered vicarious traumatisation of psychologists, and stress in the workplace. We looked at how animals use cognitive maps – how does a yak find a drink? Our 2006 special issue marking the 150^th anniversary of Freud's birth explored memory and desire, the tension between order and disorder, the persistence of Freud, empathy and the psyche in neuropsychology. 

In 2005 we had a special issue on UK social psychology, covering hate, organic pluralism in social psychology and more. In 2004 we looked at terrorism, laterality, children's social identity and psychology in France. Our 2003 issue featured attention and error, divine therapy and dyslexia.

In September 2002 we explored the long-term effects of ecstasy, Freud's analysis of jokes, and shyness. Our 2001 issue asked nonsensical questions like: is a jumper angrier than a tree? We also debated the impact of genetic factors on happiness. In 2000 we turned creative thinking into innovative practice, and provided insights into stalking.

Our 1999 issue covered the joys of music making, and asked if the internet could be a possible research tool. Our question in September 1998 was: does early social experience predestine a child's future? 

Now that we've reached 1997, our issues are only available as whole downloadable PDFs… Find video games and aggression, risk and practice in psychology, disability and equal opportunity, schizophrenia, psychology in Malawi and nutrition and IQ. Further back find criminological and legal psychology, and disadvantage and difference. 

We've reached the 1980s… In 1989 we had psychology in the real world, and in our first ever September issue in 1988, we looked at IQ and education in Japan. 

Remember, you can explore our complete archive or use the search function on the homepage - the one in the top right searches across the whole BPS site, or you can use 'Explore The Psychologist' or 'Explore the Research Digest'.